Ship salvage apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for salvaging sunken vessels or other sunken objects having enclosures. The apparatus includes inflatable flexible containers which are generally shaped to fit, when inflated, in rooms or enclosures of the sunken vessels or objects to be salvaged. The containers, normally in folded deflated condition, are adapted to be placed by divers in the rooms or enclosures for subsequent inflation. The containers are provided with flexible inlet and outlet air hoses, the inlet hoses having check valves and filling control angle valves, and the outlet hoses having combination automatic pressure-retention, pressure-release, manually releasable air discharge valves, the air discharge valves acting to cause the containers to remain inflated after initial filling, while providing automatic control of air release as the sunken vessel or object rises, to compensate for changing hydrostatic pressure and to avoid damage to the containers or structures adjacent thereto. The apparatus includes compartment door and porthole containerretenion devices and the containers are provided with outside straps and tie rings for securing the containers in desired buoyancy areas. Quick action couplings are employed for connecting the associated compressed air supply source through the inlet hoses or between the various valves or hoses and extension hoses, if used. Hose retention bracket assemblies are provided to hold the hoses fixed relative to the enclosures when the containers are inflated.

1 SHIP SALVAGE APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Leo Martin Krout, 178 West St.,

Wadsworth, Ohio 44281 22 Filed: .luly 25,1972 21 App1.No.:275,064

52 us. or. 114/54, 137/495 51] 1111. c1. B63c 7/12 58 Field of Search114/52, 53, 54; 137/495 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS497,249 5/1893 Niehoff 114/54 1,019,724 3/1912 Polizzi et a1. 114/541,332,433 3/1920 Deam 114/54 2,514,409 7/1950 Mulick 114/54 2,571,33710/1951 Burnham 61/48 2,661,016 12/1953 Leffler.......... 137/4953,019,754 2/1962 Welshausen.. 114/54 3,053,218 9/1962 Erickson 114/54Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Assistant ExaminerGregory W. OConnorAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Berman, Bishoff & Platt [57] ABSTRACT Apparatusfor salvaging sunken vessels or other sunken objects having enclosures.The apparatus includes inflatable flexible containers which aregenerally shaped to fit, when inflated, in rooms or enclosures of thesunken vessels or objects to be salvaged. The containers, normally infolded deflated condition, are adapted to be placed by divers in therooms or enclosures for subsequent inflation. The containers areprovided with flexible inlet and outlet air hoses, the inlet hoseshaving check valves and filling control angle valves, and the outlethose-s having combination automatic pressure-retention,pressure-release, manually releasable air discharge valves, the airdischarge valves acting to cause the containers to remain inflated afterinitial filling, while providing automatic control of air release as thesunken vessel or object rises, to compensate for changing hydrostaticpressure and to avoid damage to the containers or structures adjacentthereto. The apparatus includes compartment door and portholecontainerretenion devices and the containers are provided with outsidestraps and tie rings for securing the containers in desired buoyancyareas. Quick action couplings are employed for connecting the associatedcompressed air supply source through the inlet hoses or betweenthevarious valves or hoses and extension hoses, if used. Hose retentionbracket assemblies are provided to hold the hoses fixed relative to theenclosures when the containers are inflated.

18 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures I SHIP SALVAGE APPARATUS This inventionrelates to ship salvage apparatus, and more particularly, to apparatusfor providing sufficient buoyancy in a sunken vessel or other sunkenenclosuredefining object to cause the vessel or object torise to thesurface of the water.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved marinesalvage apparatus of the type employing flexible inflatable bags orcontainers adapted to be placed in sunken vessels or enclosure-definingobjects and to be inflated by a source of compressed air, the containersbeing arranged to properly fit in the spaces in which they are employedand being provided with means to retain them in such spaces, thecontainers being further provided with inlet and outlet hoses foradmitting compressed air to the containers and for automaticallyallowing air to be discharged from the containers as the sunken vesselor enclosure-defining object rises to compensate for changinghydrostatic pressure and to avoid damage to the container or to theadjacent structure of the vessel or object.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved marinesalvage apparatus suitable for use in salvaging sunken ships,submarines, airplanes, and other objects having enclosures in whichinflatable air or gasfilled containers may be employed, the apparatusfacilitating the use of simple techniques of salvage and requiringminimum working time for divers at various depths under water, providingminimum possibility of failure of any part of the apparatus, theelements of the apparatus being relatively inexpensive, light in weight,and easily maneuverable.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical inflated buoyancy containerconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line 22 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the structure ofan automatic air release valve employed in the air release hoseassociated with the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 butshowing the release valve element in open position allowing release ofair from the associated container.

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical cross-section view taken substantiallyon the line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view showing theportion of an inflated buoyancy container of the present inventionadjacent the doorway of a compartment in a sunken vessel to be salvagedand illustrating how a retention device according to the presentinvention is employedin this area to prevent the container from bulgingthrough the doorway.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view taken substantially on the line7-7 of FIG. 6 and illustrating a portion of the retention deviceemployed at the compartment doorway.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6,but showing the portion of the in flated container adjacent a port-holeand illustrating the use of a retention device according to the presentinvention, employed over the port hole and preventing bulging of thecontainer through the port hole.

. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing the elements of asupporting bracket assembly employed with the retention devices, such asshown in FIGS. 6 and 8, according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical crosssectional view takensubstantially on the line ll0--l0 of FIG. 1, and showing the check valveand angle valve employed in the compressed air supply hose, leading tothe inflated container.

FIG. II is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 1I-ll of FIG. I. a

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken through a portion ofa filling hose assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 10 andillustrating the use of a coupling pressure relief pet cock in thefilling air control portion of the hose adjacent the angle valve thereofwhich may be opened at any time to relieve excess pressure and to permitsafe and easy disconnection of hose coupling elements when theassociated angle valve is closed and the associated inflated containeris in an independent operative condition.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view taken throughcooperating quick-action coupling elements which may be employed withthe hoses associated with buoyancy containers according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a compressed air supply hose assemblyaccording to the present invention, employing an extension hose.

FIG. 15 is an end view of an automatic air release valve assembly whichmay be employed in a container such as that shown in FIG. 1, without theuse of an extension hose.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line 1616 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line l7-l7 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line 18-18 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is an elevational view showing a typical extension hose sectionwhich may be employed in a marine salvage apparatus according to thepresent inventron.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of a modifiedform of doorway or port hole retention assembly of a type different fromthat illustrated in FIG. 7, and wherein the assembly may be rolled uprather than folded.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of a rolledup retention assembly employing the structure illustrated in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a conduit retaining bracket assemblywhich may be employed in accordance with the present invention to clamphose elements associated with inflatable buoyancy containers accordingto the present invention and to hold the hose elements against beingdrawn into an enclosure in which an associated container is positionedand is being inflated.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the container of FIG..1 in afolded collapsed condition.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line 24-24 of FIG. 23

and showing the structure of a typical tie ring provided on thecontainer.

A prime purpose of the present invention is the provision of improvedequipment for salvaging sunken ships, submarines, airplanes and othersunken structures which lend themselves to accepting and retaining airor gas filled containers. The improved containers of the presentinvention are adapted to be placed by divers in rooms, compartments,companion ways, and holds, and are arranged to be inflated in apositively controlled manner, the containers being provided withsuitable supporting retention accessories, so that the containers willdisplace the amount of water necessary to cause reflotation of thesunken ship or other object being salvaged by internal buoyancy.

Another prime purpose of the present invention is to provide a complete,simplified method of salvage, which with improved safety, will minimizethe time required for divers to work at various depths under Water, willminimize the possibility of failure of any part of the apparatus, willminimize the expense of manufacture of the apparatus and which willprovide lightweight, maneuverable and flexible salvage units.

In previously employed techniques of ship salvage, the movements of thesunken vessel being raised are controlled by the application of liftingdevices which may change the position of the vessel by causing it toroll, by causing it to right itself from a side position, or by causingone end to lift above the other, all of these maneuvers affecting thewater pressure exerted on the buoyancy containers employed. An importantcharacteristic of the apparatus of the present invention is that thechanging position of the ship will not substantially affect the controlaction of the containers or the containers lifting power.

In many previously proposed systems of ship salvage, the proposedsalvage equipment is impractical because of the lack of required supportelements and in some cases, because of the proposed use of heavy andunwieldy structures whose underwater application is impractical orextremely time-consuming. In many of the previously proposed systems,there is no container pressure control or the containers may haverelease valves preset for one pressure only at one depth only, so thatthey do not operate to control the air release continuously as the shiprises, so that they do not compensate for the changing water pressure,thereby endangering the container structure or the structure of theassociated ship being raised. Failure of the containers during salvagewill cause the resinking of the ship and will be a great hazard for thedivers engaged in the salvage operation.

Further important features of the present invention include containersprovided with inlet and outlet tubes of sufficient length to ensuresecurement, use of external tie straps and/r tie rings, the use of inletretention check valves and control angle valves which when closed,support the check valves in retention condition and ensure the non-entryof water should the external water pressure exceed the containerpressure, the use of outlet combination automatic-pressure-retention,pressure-release non-entry valves with manual pressure releasecapability, the use of quick action couplings with all connections, theuse of air supply filling hose angle valves with coupling pressurerelease means, the use of compartment door and port-hole containerretention devices, the provision of inlet and outlet extension hoses,and the provision of multiple tube and hose retention devices.

The combined use of the above-mentioned items ensures that thecontainers will become fully inflated and will be selfsustained aftertheir initial filling, eliminating the risk of over-pressure damage tothe containers or to the adjacent ship structures, eliminating the needfor using instruments or gauges under water, and minimizing theoccurrence of accidents causing resinking of the ship being raised.

The apparatus of the present invention is of minimal cost consideringthat it provides greatly improved safety to the personnel using same,greatly increased efficiency in the salvage operations, and reduction toa minimum of the time consumed by divers and the associated salvage shipand crew to complete a salvage operation.

Referring to the drawings, 25 generally designates a typical inflatedbuoyancy container employed in a ship salvage system according to thepresent invention. The containers may be made in various sizes andshapes most suitable for the particular inflation areas where they areto be used. In the typical container 25 illustrated in FIG. 1, thecontainer is generally rectangular in shape. However, within the spiritof the present invention, the containers may be cylindrical, spherical,or may have any other suitable shape in accordance with the areas wherethey are to be employed.

The typical container 25, shown in FIG. 1, may be folded up in itsdeflated condition in the manner illustrated in FIG. 23 so that it thenoccupies minimum bulk and may be easily handled by a diver whereby itcan be readily placed in the area-in which it is to be employed.

The container 25 may be constructed of any suitable light weightmaterial, such as nylon, vinyl, or other commercially availablesynthetic flexible material, rubber or neoprene-impregnated, orplastic-coated to ensure the retention of air or gas. As abovementioned, the containers 25 are folded to a compact condition, whendeflated, for ease in handling under water and placement in the intendedinflation areas. The folding will be such that upon inflation the topwall of the container will be in the correct position to rise to the topof the associated enclosure in which it has been placed. A sufficientnumber of folded containers 25 will be installed by divers in the rooms,compartments, companion ways, and holds of the ship such that, when thecontainers are inflated, they will impart the necessary buoyancy torefloat the ship, or other object in which they are installed. Tocompensate for irregularities of contour in the enclosures in which thecontainers 25 are employed, the containers are preferably made so thatthey will be somewhat larger when inflated than the intended enclosurestherefor to allow for maximum space utilization and to minimize stresseson the containers caused by thepresence of random projections orobjects, such as beams, furniture, and fixtures.

In the typical container illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 23, an end wall 26of the container is provided at its lower portion with a flexible airinlet hose 27 and a flexible air outlet hose 28, located substantiallyat the midportion of the lower margin of end wall 26 and spaced apart bya short distance.

The inlet and outlet hoses 27 and 28 may be located at other desiredportions of the walls of the containers, for example, may be located atproper heights to extend through a porthole 29, as shown in FIG. 8,rather than through the lower portion of a doorway 30, shown in FIG. 6.

The flexible hoses 27 and 28 are suitably sealingly secured to theassociated container wall, for example, in the manner illustrated inFIG. 11, which shows the hose 28 sealingly secured to the container endwall 26. The hose 28 has the opposing flanges 31 and 32 which receivetherebetween the margin of the aperture at which hose 28 is connectedand sealingly clamps said margin, or it may be suitably heat sealedthereto or alternatively, the hoses 27 and 28 may be molded integrallywith the container wall.

To facilitate proper securement of the containers, they are preferablyprovided with suitable tie means distributed thereover, for example,with tie rings 33 engaged with corresponding outwardly projecting loopelements 34 which are anchored to the container walls, as by the use ofapertured fastening discs 35 engaged over the loop and adhesivelysecured to the container walls in the manner illustrated in FIG. 24.Outside tie straps or cables 36 may be secured to the tie rings 33 atvarious locations on the containers to facilitate the securement of thecontainers in their intended locations.

The hoses 27 and 28 may have any desired length, sufficient to allowthem to extend through portholes or doorways, as illustrated, forexample, in FIGS. 6 and 8,

and to allow them to be engaged by suitable retention bracket means,suchas that illustrated in FIG. 22 and to be presently described, forholding the oses against the inward pulling action exerted thereonduring the inflation of their associated containers.

Thus, the typical bracket means shown in FIG. 22 is designated generallyat 37 and comprises an elongated bottom member 38 of inverted T-shapehaving a base portion 39 and an upstanding web portion 40 which isformed with a plurality of spaced notches 41 adapted to receive hoses,such as hoses 27 and 28 associated with inflatable containers 25. Themember 38 is of sufficient length to extend across and overlap therespective sides of a doorway 30 or a porthole 29. Rigidly secured onopposite sides of the web member 40 at one end thereof are a pair ofupstanding plate members .42, 42 between which is pivotally connectedthe end of the web portion 43 of another T-shaped bar member 44, saidbar member 44 being provided with the top flange 45 which is partly cutaway adjacent the pivoted end portion of web 43, as is shown in FIG. 22.The web 43 is pivotally connected between the plates 42 by a transversely extending pivot pin 46. The web portion 43 is offset withrespectto the upstanding web element 40 of base member 38 so that it can movedownwardly alongside web 40 to exert clamping action on hoses engaged inthe notches 41. Pivoted to the end of web 40 opposite the plates 42, 42is a yoke member 48 which can be swung upwardly from the positionthereof shown in FIG. 2 to lockingly engage over the flange 45 of member44 when the member 44 is in its conduit-clamping position. Thus, thebracket assembly 37 may be employed to clampingly engage the hoses 27and 28 associated with a container 25 in the manner illustrated in FIG.8, wherein the hoses are clamped in the bracket member 37, said bracketmember being positioned across a porthole 29 through which the hoses 27and 28 extend, whereby the hoses are held against inward movementthrough the porthole 29 during the inflation of the container 25.

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided forsupporting the container against outward bulging through doorway 30,portholes 29, or other openings in an enclosure in which the inflatableflotation container 25 is placed. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates anenclosure 56 in a sunken vessel or other object to be salvaged, theenclosure 50 being provided with a doorway 30, and a container 25 beingpositioned in the enclosure with its associated air inlet and air discharge hoses 27 and 28 extending through the lower portion of thedoorway 30. A retention device 51 is provided between the container 25and the doorway 30, the device 51. being located inwardly adjacent thedoorway and overlapping its margins. The typical retention device 51comprises a plurality of transverse channel bars 52 to which arepivotally connected a plurality of vertical transverse channel bars 53to define a grating or lattice assembly having rigid elements, thechannel bars being spaced apart and being pivotally connected by rivetsor bolts 54 at their crossing points, namely, at their transverselyabutting web portions, the flanges of the vertical channel bars beingdirected to the right, as shown in FIG. 6, and the flanges of the hor-.izontal channel bars 52 being directed to the left, as

shown in FIG. 6. Due to the pivotal connections at 54, the vertical andhorizontal channel bars may be collapsed, so that when the retentiondevice is installed, the vertical channel bars 53 are folded so as to beclosely adjacent to each other, whereby the assembly is quite compactand can be easily inserted through a doorway 30 by a diver. After thefolded retention device is thus inserted, it can be expanded byspreading the channel bars 53 to the positions thereof illustrated inFIG. 7, wherein channel bars 52. are transverse to the channel bars 53,and in which state the retention device has maximum area. The retentiondevice may be held against the inside margins of the doorway 30 byemploying one or more anchor assemblies designated generally at 60. Eachanchor assembly comprises a channel bar 61 of sufficient length to spana doorway 30 or other opening in an enclosure'and to engage across itsside margins at the outer side thereof, as shown in FIG. 6. Ahook-shaped bolt member 62 extends through an aperture 63 provided inthe web portion of the channel member 61 and a clamping nut 64 providedwith a handle 65 is threadingly engaged on the outer end portion of thehook bolt 62, the bight portion 66 of the hook bolt being engaged arounda transverse channel member 52 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 6. Withthe channel member 61 in transverse abutment spanning the side portionsof the doorway 30 or other enclosure opening, the diver tightens the nut64, employing the handle 65, so as to clamp the retention devicecomprising the afore-mentioned grating structure against the insidemarginal portions of the doorway so that said retention device is firmlyheld in proper position to support the adjacent wall surface of theflotation container 25 as it is being inflated and to prevent thisportion of the container from bulging through the doorway.

As shown in FIG. 8, a retention device similar to that above describedmay be employed across a porthole 29 and may be secured in operativeposition by an anchoring assembly similar to that employed with thedoorway arrangement of FIG. 6. The retention device employed for usewith a porthole is obviously substantially smaller than the retentiondevice employed for a larger opening, such as a doorway 30.

FIGS. and 21 illustrate a modified form of retention device whichperforms substantially the same function as the retention device shownin FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, and which comprises a plurality of parallel channelbars 52, connected by flexible web members 67 which are transverselyconnected to the parallel channel bars 52' and which are spaced apart inthe same manner as the vertical channel bars 53 in FIG. 7. The use ofthe spaced flexible strap members 67 allows the retention assembly to berolled up in the manner shown in FIG. 20, wherein a typical rolled-upassembly is designated generally at 70. The rolled-up assembly 70 isrelatively compact and can be easily handled by a diver and can bereadily installed through an opening, such as a doorway 30 or porthole29 for placement in operative position. The retention assembly of FIGS.20 and 21 can be readily anchored in position by employing anchorassemblies similar to those above described and illustrated in detail inFIG. 9, the bight portions 66 of the hook bolts 62 being engageable overthe horizontal channel bars 52' in the same manner in which said bightportions 66 are engageable over the horizontal channel bars 52 of theretention assembly embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7. The flexible strapmembers 67 may be made of any suitable webbing material, such as nylonwebbing, and the horizontal channel members 52' are secured to theflexible webbing strips 67 by suitable bolts or rivets 71'.

The channel members 52 and 53'of the embodiment of the retention deviceshown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are fastened together by relatively looselyfitting bolts or rivets 54 to permit easy collapsing of the retentiondevice for under water handling and for surface storage convenience. Theopenings defined between the channel bars 52 and 53 in the expandedcondition of the retention device of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are of sufficientsize to readily extend the hoses 27 and 28 therethrough as abovedescribed. As above mentioned, the anchoring device 37 is employed fortemporarily securing the hoses 27 and 28 and to prevent them from beingdrawn into the inflation area containing the inflatable container duringinflation and to ensure that the con tainer is properly aligned formaximum efficiency of occupany of the inflation area in the enclosure50. The same considerations apply to the modified form of the retentiondevice shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. As above mentioned, anchoringassemblies, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 are employedto fasten the retention devices over doors or portholes in proper positions to retain the associated container within the inflation area inwhich it is employed.

In the typical arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1, a source of compressedair may be connected to the container 25 for inflating same at the airinlet hose 27 through a manually controlled angle valve 73 and a checkvalve 74. Thus, the air supply hose may be connected to the manuallycontrolled angle valve 73 through successive nipple units 75 and 76, asshown in FIG. 1, at the inlet side of angle valve 73, and the outletside of angle valve 73 may be connected to the inlet side of check valve74 by a short nipple element 77, as shown in FIG. 10. The outlet side ofcheck valve 74 may be connected to the container air admission hose 27through another short nipple element 78, the connections being made in aconventional manner and the assembly being incorporated with thecontainer 25. The air supply hose is preferably connected to the initialnipple element 75 by means of a quick-action coupling assembly whereinthe nipple element 75 is provided with the female segment 78 and the airsupply angle valve 95 is provided with the male segment 80, as shown inFIG. 13. The male coupling member 80 is provided with the reduced neckportion 81 having oppositely projecting bayonet pins 82, 82, and theportion 81 is engageable in the enlarged bore portion 83 of femalesegment 78, the interior of the enlarged portion 83 being provided withopposite bayonet grooves 84, 84 in which the pins 82, 82 may lockinglyengage. Thus, the portion 81 may be slipped into the enlarged boreportion 83 with the pins 82, 82 slidably engaging in the longitudinalportions of bayonet grooves 84, 84, after which member 80 may be rotatedrelative to member 78 to engage the pins 82, 82 in the transverselydirected end portions of bayonet grooves 84, 84. To facilitate thisaction, the members 78 and 80 are provided with the outwardly extendinghandle rods 85 and 86, shown in FIG. 13. A sealing gasket 87 surroundsthe reduced conduit portion 81 and is located adjacent the annularshoulder defined at the main body portion of member 80 as shown in FIG.13. When the male and female segments 80 and 75 are interlockinglyengaged in the manner above described, the rim of element 78 sealinglycompresses the gasket 87 and provides a sealed connection between themale and female segments of the coupling assembly.

It will be understood that the above-described quickaction couplingassembly may be disconnected by following the reverse procedure to thatabove described.

The angle valve 73 is of conventional construction and is provided withthe operating handle 88 which is rigidly secured to the apertured stemportion 89 of the valve to enable it to be manually rotated for openingand closing the valve.

The check valve 74 comprises a chamber in which is pivoted a flapelement 90 which is biased against its seat by a coil spring 91 engagedbetween the flap element 90 and an opposite abutment 92 provided in thevalve body. The valve body, shown at 93, is provided with a removablesealing cap 94 which covers and seals the enclosure containing thepivoted flap member 90 and which provides access to the spring 91 whenremoved. As will be apparent from FIG. 10, air under pressure can swingthe flap member 90 in a counterclockwise direction so as to flow therepast towards the conduit element 78' and thence through hose 27 into thecontainer 25, but reverse flow of the air is prevented by the closure ofthe flap element 90. Compressed air can thus be delivered to thecontainer 25 to inflate the same and reverse flow through the hose 27will be prevented by the checkvalve action provided by the spring-biasedvalve flap element 90.

The filling hose, shown at 94, is provided with a coupling pressureshutoff valve 95 similar to valve 73, but provided with a couplingpressure relief bleeder valve 97. Thus, the angle valve 95 and bleedervalve assembly 97 are mounted on conduit body 98 which is con nectedbetween the air supply hose 94 and has the male quick-action coupling 80connected to the opposite end of conduit 98, as shown in FIG. 13. Therelief valve 97 comprises conduit element 99 having a manually rotatablescrew cap 100 threaded thereon, the cap 100 being manually rotatable toexpose an aperture 101 thereof to the conduit 99 when the cap is rotatedoutwardly a sufficient distance so as to allow air trapped betweenclosed angle valves 73 and 95 to escape, thereby reducing'the pressurein the conduit portion between valves 73 and 95 and facilitating theuncoupling of the quick-action coupling segments 75 and 80. This permitsthe safe and easy disconnection of said quick-action coupling segments,when desired.

in the typical arrangements illustrated in FIG. 1, the air dischargehose 28 is connected to a discharge hose 102 through an automaticpressure retention valve assembly 103 shown in detail in FIGS. 2, 3, 4and 5. As is further shown in FIG. 1, the hose 102 is connected to theoutlet end of the valve assembly 103 by means of a quick-action couplingassembly similar to that above described, and having the male and femalecooperating coupling elements 80 and-75 provided with their associatedoperating handles 86 and 85.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the automatic pressure re-.

lease valve 103 comprises a main conduit body 104 threadedly connectedat one end to the female coupling segment 75 and being provided with anenlarged opposite end portion 105 which is internally threaded tothreadedly receive the air discharge hose 28 associated with thecontainer 25. The annular valve seat member 106 is adjustable threadedin the right end of the body 104, as viewed in FIG. 2, and has afrustoconical seat 107 which sealingly receives the conical centerelement 108 of a movable valve plunger 109 slidably positioned in thebody 104. The plunger 109 is provided with a plurality of air passages110 which are placed in communication with the central bore 111 of seatmember 106 when the plunger 109 is forced away from seat 107, as will bepresently described.

Seat member 106 is provided at the right side thereof, as viewed in FIG.2, with a plurality of toolengagement recesses 112 for engagement withpins of an adjusting tool for adjusting the position of member 106 inbody 104.

Threadedly engaged in the left end portion of body 104, as viewed inFIG. 2, is an apertured guide bushing 113 having air passages 114 andhaving a central bore 115 through which slidably extends a piston rod116 which is threadedlyconnected to the plungerelement 109. A coilspring 118 surrounds rod 116, bearing between bushing member 113 andplunger element 109 to bias the plunger element rightwardly, as viewedin FIG. 2, namely, towards seating relationship with the seat member106, namely, towards seating engagement of conical valve element 108with the frusto-conical seat 107. Rod 116 is provided at its left end,as viewed in FIG. 2, with a transverse handle bar 119 which is normallyreceived in parallel relationship to and between a pair of parallel ribs120, 120, provided on bushing member 113 to normally hold rod 116against rotation. Cross bar 119 may be at times grasped and pulledleftwardly, as viewed in FIG. 2, and then rotated to transverselyoverlie the ribs 120, 120, whereby to hold the valve plunger 109 in openposition, namely, in the position thereof shown in FIG. 4, whereby toallow air to flow freely in a leftward direction, as viewed in FIGS. 2and 4, from hose 28 to conduit member 75, for example, when it isdesired to deflate the associated container 25. This is, of course, donewith the coupling element 75 detached from the valve body 104.

10 The spring 1118 establishes a predetermined pressure differential,which, when exceeded, causes plunger element 109 to become unseated andto allow air to escape from the associated container 25 to the exhausthose 102. Thus, when the container 25 is inflated in a vessel at aconsiderable depth in the water, a sufficiently high pressure must bedeveloped in the container 25 to inflate the same against thesubstantial hydrostatic pressure existing at this depth. When the vesselrises due to the buoyancy provided by the inflated container, and otherssimilarly placed in the vessel, the hydrostatic pressure decreases, andeventually the pressure differential provided by the spring 118 isexceeded and compressed air is allowed to escape from the associatedcontainer 25 past the unseated valve element 109. When sufficient airhas escaped from the container to reestablish a pressure differentialless than that represented by the tension of spring 118, the springovercomes the pressure in the container 25 and causes its associatedvalve plunger element 109 to return to the seated position of FIG. 2,terminating the release of air from the container at this level. As thevessel continues to rise, another level will be reached wherein thehydrostatic pressure has reduced sufficiently to overcome thedifferential represented by spring 118 and the above-described processis repeated.

It will thus be seen that valve assembly 103 operates to automaticallymaintain a predetermined pressure differential between the air in thecontainer 25 and the associated discharge hose or conduit, namelybetween the pressure valve in the container and the hydrostatic pressurevalue to which the conduit element is exposed, thereby automaticallyreducing the pressure in the container 25 as the sunken vessel rises tocorre spend with the reduced hydrostatic pressure acting externallythereto. This automatically prevents excessive build-up of stresses inthe walls of the container and in the structures in the vessel enclosureengaged thereby. This prevents unnecessary damage to the container andthe adjacent structures.

The automatic air release valve 103 also acts as an indicator to thediver that the container is fully inflated, since the valve 103 willpermit release of air when the pressure differential between the air inthe container and the hydrostatic pressure exceeds that which can beovercome by the spring 118. The opening of the valve 103 at this pointallows air to escape from the container 25 and the escaping air from theexhaust hose indicates to the diver that the container is fullyinflated. This is also an indication that the maximum amount of waterhas been expelled from the inflation area in which the container 25 ispositioned.

As above mentioned, when the vessel has been fully raised and it isdesired to deflate the containers 25, the associated coupling elements75 are detached from the valve bodies 104 and the valves are manuallyopened by means of their cross bar elements 119, as above described,allowing the containers to be deflated.

FIGS. 15 to 18 show a modified form of automatic release valve,designated generally at 103, which may be employed when no extensionhoses 102 are employed for exhausting air. Thus, the modified automaticrelease valve 103' comprises a valve body 104 having a flanged endportion which is connected to the release hose 28, in the same manner asdescribed above in connection with the first-disclosed automatic releasevalve 103. At its left end portion, as viewed in FIG. 16, the valve body104 is provided with the valve seat member 106' which has a pair of airpassages 122, 122, the member 106 being threadedly engaged in the body104' so that its position can be readily adjusted. An apertured plungermember 109' is carried on a plunger rod 116 which extends rightwardly inthe body 104, as viewed in FIG. 16, towards a cap 123 threadedly engagedon the right end of body 104', the rod 116 being provided at its rightend with a transverse handle bar 119 which is normally located adjacenta slot 124 in cap 123 through which the handle bar 119' may be at timespulled outwardly and transversely rotated for manually opening the valvein the same manner as previously described in connection with the handlebar 119 in the valve shown in FIGS. 2 to 5.

A coiled spring 118 surrounds rod 116, bearing between the plunger 109and the cap member 123 and biasing the plunger member 119 leftwardly, asviewed in FIG. 16, to establish the release pressure differential abovedescribed. Plunger member 109 is provided with a pair of parallellongitudinally extending positioning pins 125, 125 which slidably engagein recesses 126, 126 provided in member 106' to prevent rotation ofplunger member 109. Plunger member 109 is provided with a pair of airpassages 127, 127, and a sealing gasket 128 is provided between member109 and member 106, the gasket being smaller in diameter than the bore130 of body 104', and being movable with plunger member 109' when theabove-described pressure differential is exceeded so as to allowexcesspressure air to flow through the passages 122 of member 106', andpast the gasket 128, so as to be released through the body 104 and slot124. The valve 103 thus operates in the same manner as theabovedescribed valve 103 to allow airto automatically escape from theassociated container 25 as the sunken vessel rises, whereby to preventexcessive build-up of pressure in the container and to substantiallymaintain a safe pressure value in the associated container 25 as thevessel rises towards the surface.

The valve 103' operates in the same manner as the valve 103 to indicateto a diver when the associated container 25 is fully inflated, sincewhen the inflation pressure in the container rises-to avalue exceedingthe pressure differential defined by the biasing spring 118, theassociated plunger member 109 moves rightwardly and allow air to escapethrough the cap slot 124.

lnlet and outlet extension hoses may be employed as required for theparticular salvage operation. Thus, as shown in FIG. 14, a suitableextension hose 140 may be employed between the check valve 74 and theinlet hose 27 of the associated container, the extension hose 140 beingprovided with a male quick-coupling member 80 adapted to be coupled witha corresponding female quick-coupling member 75, not shown, secured tothe end of the container inlet conduit 27. Similarly, a suitableextension hose 140 may be employed between the air release hose 28 andthe automatic release valve 103, as shown in FIG. 19, the extension 140being provided with a male quick-coupling member 80 adapted to becoupled with a mating female coupling element 75, not shown, provided atthe end of the air discharge hose 28. Extension hose sections 140 may beemployed in the system as required by the-particular circumstances ofthe salvage operation. The extension hoses are provided at theiropposite ends with male and female quick-coupling members 80 and tofacilitate their connections and to enable divers to use them in thesystem as required with minimum effort.

While certain specific embodiments of salvage apparatus for raisingsunken objects have been disclosed in the foregoing description, it willbe understood that various modifications within the spirit of theinvention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it isintended that no limitations be placed on the invention except asdefined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic salvage apparatus for raising sunken objects of the typehaving enclosures, comprising an inflatable container of flexiblematerial adapted to be carried in a deflated, collapsed folded upcondition and installed in an enclosure in a sunken object by a diver,the container being totally flexible and being provided with spacedrespective air inlet and outlet conduits extending from a wall thereofand arranged to both ex tend externally from the enclosure through asingle opening thereof when the container is installed, air inlet valvemeans including a check valve connected to the air inlet conduit, meansto connect said air inlet valve means to a source of compressed air forinflating the container to cause it to expand to substantially conformwith the interior of the enclosure, and automatic air release meansconnected to said outlet conduit and exposed to hydrostatic pressure,said air release means including normally closed release valve meansarranged to open in response to a predetermined pressure differentialthereacross, whereby the air pressure in the container will beautomatically reduced continuously as the object rises from its originalsunken position, whereby to provide maximum space utilization and toavoid damage to the container and the adjacent structure in theenclosure.

2. The salvage apparatus of claim 1 wherein said automatic release valvemeans comprises a housing having a valve seat, a plunger elementslidably mounted in said housing and having means to sealingly engageagainst said seat, and spring means biasing said plunger element towardssealing position, the plunger element being exposed at one side thereofto hydrostatic pressure which acts in the same direction on theplungerelement as said spring means, and being exposed at the other sidethereof to the compressed air in the inflated container.

3. The salvage apparatus of claim 2 and retention means for supportingportions of the container against outward distension through openings inthe enclosure, said retention means comprising collapsible lattice meanscomposed of rigid elements which can be inserted through openings in theenclosure and which can then be expanded to overlie the inside marginsof the openings to prevent bulging of the inflated container through theopenings.

4. The salvage apparatus of claim 3 wherein said collapsible latticemeans includes parallel rigid bar members and means movably connectingsaid rigid bar members together and maintaining them substantially inparallelism.

5. The salvage apparatus of claim 4, and means to releasably clamp thelattice means to the inside margins of the openings in the enclosure.

6. The salvage apparatus of claim 5, wherein said clamping meanscomprises cross bars engageable across the outsides of the margins ofthe openings and hook bolt members engaged through the cross bars andsupportingly and clampingly engaged with at least one of said rigid barmembers, said hook bolt members having manually operated clamping nuts.

7. The salvage apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rigid bar members ofthe expanded lattice means are spaced sufficiently to allow the airinlet and outlet conduits to extend outwardly therebetween.

8. The salvage apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means movably connectingsaid rigid bar members comprises a plurality of additional parallelrigid bar members pivotally connected to said first-named rigid barmembers.

9. The salvage apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means movably connectingsaid rigid bar members comprises spaced parallel bands of flexible webmaterial transversely connected to said rigid bar members to allow thelattice means to be rolled up to diminish its bulk and allow it to beinserted through the openings in the enclosure.

10. The salvage apparatus of claim 7 and rigid bracket means clampinglyengageable with the out wardly extending air inlet and outlet conduitsand being of sufficient length to extend across the outside margins ofthe openings to retain the inlet and outlet conduits against inwardpulling force tending to pull the conduits into the associatedenclosure.

ill. The salvage apparatus of claim 2 and wherein said air inlet valvemeans includes a manually operated angle valve located ahead of saidcheck valve.

12. The salvage apparatus of claim 11 and extension conduit means andquick-acting coupling means interconnecting said extension conduit meansin circuit with said inlet and outlet conduits, said quick-actingcoupling means comprising cooperating interengageable male and femalecoupling segments on the ends of the conduits and extension conduitmeans, and means to lock the male and female segments together incoupled relationship responsive to rotation of one with respect to theother.

13. The salvage apparatus of claim 2 and a plunger rod secured to theplunger element, abutment means on the housing a cross bar elementrigidly secured on the plunger rod, and means for at times positioningsaid cross bar element so that it engages with said abutment means tohold the plunger element in non-sealing position with respect to saidseat, said abutment means being recessed to receive said cross barelement at other times to allow the plunger element to sealingly engagethe seat.

14. The salvage apparatus of claim 13 and wherein said spring meanscomprises a coiled spring surrounding said plunger rod and bearingbetween said plunger element and said abutment means.

15. The salvage apparatus of claim 13 and wherein said abutment meanscomprises an apertured guide bushing mounted in the housing, saidplunger rod extending slidably through said guide bushing, said guidebushing having parallel ribs adjacent said cross bar element, and thecross bar element being rotatable to transversely overlie said ribs tohold the plunger element in said non-sealing position against the forceof said spring means.

16. The salvage apparatus of claim 13 and wherein said abutment meanscomprises an end cap secured on the housing having a slot through whichsaid cross bar element can be pulled, said cross bar element being thenrotatable to transversely overlie said slot to hold the plunger elementin said non-sealing position against the force of said spring means.

17. The salvage apparatus of claim 11, and auxiliary conduit means,including a manually operated valve, adapted to be connected betweensaid source of compressed air and said air inlet valve means, saidauxiliary conduit means being provided with manually operated bleedervalve means between said lastnamed manually operated valve and said airinlet valve means to facilitate disconnection of said auxiliary conduitmeans from the air inlet valve means at times.

18. The salvage apparatus of claim 2, and wherein said container isprovided over its surface area with spaced tie rings for securing thecontainer in a predetermined position in an enclosure.

1. An automatic salvage apparatus for raising sunken objects of the type having enclosures, comprising an inflatable container of flexible material adapted to be carried in a deflated, collapsed folded up condition and installed in an enclosure in a sunken object by a diver, the container being totally flexible and being provided with spaced respective air inlet and outlet conduits extending from a wall thereof and arranged to both extend externally from the enclosure through a single opening thereof when the container is installed, air inlet valve means including a check valve connected to the air inlet conduit, means to connect said air inlet valve means to a source of compressed air for inflating the container to cause it to expand to substantially conform with the interior of the enclosure, and automatic air release means connected to said outlet conduit and exposed to hydrostatic pressure, said air release means including normally closed release valve means arranged to open in response to a predetermined pressure differential thereacross, whereby the air pressure in the container will be automatically reduced continuously as the object rises from its original sunken position, whereby to provide maximum space utilization and to avoid damage to the container and the adjacent structure in the enclosure.
 2. The salvage apparatus of claim 1 wherein said automatic release valve means comprises a housing having a valve seat, a plunger element slidably mounted in said housing and having means to sealingly engage against said seat, and spring means biasing said plunger element towards sealing position, the plunger element being exposed at one side thereof to hydrostatic pressure which acts in the same direction on the plunger element as said spring means, and being exposed at the other side thereof to the compressed air in the inflated container.
 3. The salvage apparatus of claim 2 and retention means for supporting portions of the container against outward distension through openings in the enclosure, said retention means comprising collapsible lattice means composed of rigid elements which can be inserted through openings in the enclosure and which can then be expanded to overlie the inside margins of the openings to prevent bulging of the inflated container through the openings.
 4. The salvage apparatus of claim 3 wherein said collapsible lattice means includes parallel rigid bar members and means movably connecting said rigid bar members together and maintaining them substantially in parallelism.
 5. The salvage apparatus of claim 4, and means to releasably clamp the lattice means to the inside margins of the openings in the enclosure.
 6. The salvage apparatus of claim 5, wherein said clamping means comprises cross bars engageable across the outsides of the margins of the openings and hook bolt members engaged through the cross bars and supportingly and clampingly engaged with at least one of said rigid bar members, said hook bolt members having manually operated clamping nuts.
 7. The salvage apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rigid bar members of the expanded lattice means are spaced sufficiently to allow the air inlet and outlet conduits to extend outwardly therebetween.
 8. The salVage apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means movably connecting said rigid bar members comprises a plurality of additional parallel rigid bar members pivotally connected to said first-named rigid bar members.
 9. The salvage apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means movably connecting said rigid bar members comprises spaced parallel bands of flexible web material transversely connected to said rigid bar members to allow the lattice means to be rolled up to diminish its bulk and allow it to be inserted through the openings in the enclosure.
 10. The salvage apparatus of claim 7 and rigid bracket means clampingly engageable with the outwardly extending air inlet and outlet conduits and being of sufficient length to extend across the outside margins of the openings to retain the inlet and outlet conduits against inward pulling force tending to pull the conduits into the associated enclosure.
 11. The salvage apparatus of claim 2 and wherein said air inlet valve means includes a manually operated angle valve located ahead of said check valve.
 12. The salvage apparatus of claim 11 and extension conduit means and quick-acting coupling means interconnecting said extension conduit means in circuit with said inlet and outlet conduits, said quick-acting coupling means comprising cooperating interengageable male and female coupling segments on the ends of the conduits and extension conduit means, and means to lock the male and female segments together in coupled relationship responsive to rotation of one with respect to the other.
 13. The salvage apparatus of claim 2 and a plunger rod secured to the plunger element, abutment means on the housing a cross bar element rigidly secured on the plunger rod, and means for at times positioning said cross bar element so that it engages with said abutment means to hold the plunger element in non-sealing position with respect to said seat, said abutment means being recessed to receive said cross bar element at other times to allow the plunger element to sealingly engage the seat.
 14. The salvage apparatus of claim 13 and wherein said spring means comprises a coiled spring surrounding said plunger rod and bearing between said plunger element and said abutment means.
 15. The salvage apparatus of claim 13 and wherein said abutment means comprises an apertured guide bushing mounted in the housing, said plunger rod extending slidably through said guide bushing, said guide bushing having parallel ribs adjacent said cross bar element, and the cross bar element being rotatable to transversely overlie said ribs to hold the plunger element in said non-sealing position against the force of said spring means.
 16. The salvage apparatus of claim 13 and wherein said abutment means comprises an end cap secured on the housing having a slot through which said cross bar element can be pulled, said cross bar element being then rotatable to transversely overlie said slot to hold the plunger element in said non-sealing position against the force of said spring means.
 17. The salvage apparatus of claim 11, and auxiliary conduit means, including a manually operated valve, adapted to be connected between said source of compressed air and said air inlet valve means, said auxiliary conduit means being provided with manually operated bleeder valve means between said lastnamed manually operated valve and said air inlet valve means to facilitate disconnection of said auxiliary conduit means from the air inlet valve means at times.
 18. The salvage apparatus of claim 2, and wherein said container is provided over its surface area with spaced tie rings for securing the container in a predetermined position in an enclosure. 